The 10 RashiYomi Rules
Their presence in Rashis on Parshath AchaRaY KeDoShiM
Volume 18, Number 7
This weeks Weekly Rashi with Hebrew/English source tables
will be accessible, on Sunday, at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1807.htm
(c) RashiYomi Incorporated, Dr. Hendel, President, May 3 2012
Visit the Rashi website http://www.Rashiyomi.com

The goal of this Weekly Rashi Digest is to use the weekly Torah portion to expose students at all levels to the ten major methods of commentary used by Rashi. It is hoped that continual weekly exposure to these ten major methods will enable students of all levels to acquire a familiarity and facility with the major exegetical methods. Although I frequently use my own English translations of biblical verses and Rashi comments, the Hebrew and English translations in the source tables are derived from online parshah files at chabad.org who in turn acknowledges the Judaica Press Complete Tanach, copyright by Judaica Press.

FULL HOUSE THIS WEEK ALL RASHI RULES ILLUSTRATED

    1. RASHI METHOD: REFERENCES
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: Commentary on a verse is provided thru a cross-reference to another verse. The cross references can either provide
    • (1a) further details,
    • (1b) confirm citations, or
    • (1c) clarify word meaning.
    This examples applies to Rashis Lv20-25a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1215.htm
    Brief Summary: The statement (Lv20-25) SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE RITUALLY UNCLEAN ANIMALS refers to SEPARATION FROM ANIMALS PROHIBITED TO BE EATEN (Non Kosher) (Lv11-04)

Verse Lv20-25a
Hebrew Verse וְהִבְדַּלְתֶּם בֵּין הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהֹרָה לַטְּמֵאָה וּבֵין הָעוֹף הַטָּמֵא לַטָּהֹר וְלֹא תְשַׁקְּצוּ אֶת נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם בַּבְּהֵמָה וּבָעוֹף וּבְכֹל אֲשֶׁר תִּרְמֹשׂ הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר הִבְדַּלְתִּי לָכֶם לְטַמֵּא:
English Verse And you shall distinguish between clean animals and unclean ones, and between unclean birds and clean ones; thus you shall not make yourselves disgusting through [unclean] animals and birds and any [creature] which crawls on the earth, that I have distinguished for you to render unclean.
Rashi Header Hebrew והבדלתם בין הבהמה הטהרה לטמאה
Rashi Text Hebrew אין צריך לומר בין פרה לחמור, שהרי מובדלין ונכרין הם, אלא בין טהורה לך לטמאה לך, בין שנשחט רובו של סימן לנשחט חציו. וכמה בין רובו לחציו, מלא שערה:
Rashi Header Enlish And you shall distinguish between clean animals and unclean ones
Rashi Text English It is not necessary for Scripture to say [that we must distinguish] between a cow and a donkey, since they are easily distinguishable and identifiable. Rather, [the Torah means that we must distinguish] between [an animal that] is clean because of you [i.e., permissible for you to eat because of your slaughtering], and [one that is] unclean because of you [i.e., forbidden for you to eat because of your slaughtering. [When an animal is slaughtered, both “signs,” i.e., organs, must be severed, namely, the esophagus, (gullet) and the trachea (windpipe), or at least, the majority of each. Thus, our verse here is referring to the following: The distinction] between an animal of which [one organ was severed completely and] the majority of the [other] organ was severed, [thus rendering the animal kosher], and [an animal of which one organ was completely severed] whereas only half the [other] organ was severed [thus rendering that animal nonkosher]. And what is the difference between its majority and half of it [that would mean the difference between kosher and nonkosher]? A hairbreadth [and consequently, Scripture commands us to make a careful distinction]. — [Torath Kohanim 20:116]

Verse Lv20-25a discussing the need for the Jewish people to become holy by separating themselves from ritually impure animals states Ye shall therefore separate between the pure beast and the impure, and between the pure fowl and the impure; and ye shall not make your souls detestable by beast, or by fowl, or by any thing wherewith the ground teemeth, which I have set apart for you to hold ritually impure. Rashi notes that the underlined words, impure references verses Lv11-04 discussing non-Kosher animals - that is, animals prohibited to be eaten. Hence the Rashi comment Verse Lv20-25 requiring separation from the ritually impure animals and birds cites and refers to Lv11-04 (or generally all of chapter Lv11) discussing the non-Kosher animals - animals forbidden to be eaten - which the Bible explicitly calls impure.

Text of Target Verse Lv20-25a Text of Reference Verse Lv11-04
Ye shall therefore separate between the pure beast and the impure, and between the pure fowl and the impure; and ye shall not make your souls detestable by beast, or by fowl, or by any thing wherewith the ground teemeth, which I have set apart for you to hold ritually impure. Nevertheless these shall you not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those that divide the hoof; the camel, because it chews the cud, but its hoof is not parted; it is impure to you.
Rashi comments: Verse Lv20-25 requiring separation from the ritually impure animals and birds cites and refers to Lv11-04 (or generally all of chapter Lv11) discussing the non-Kosher animals - animals forbidden to be eaten - which the Bible explicitly calls impure.

      2. RASHI METHOD: WORD MEANING
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: The meaning of words can be explained either by
      • (2a) translating an idiom, a group of words whose collective meaning transcends the meaning of its individual component words,
      • (2b) explaining the nuances and commonality of synonyms-homographs,
      • (2c) describing the usages of connective words like also,because,if-then, when,
      • (2d) indicating how grammatical conjugation can change word meaning
      • (2e) changing word meaning using the figures of speech common to all languages such as irony and oxymorons.
      This examples applies to Rashis Lv20-18a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1215.htm
      Brief Summary: The phrase HE AROUSED HER SOURCE is an IDIOMATIC euphemism for FULL INTIMACY similar to UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS.

Verse Lv20-18a
Hebrew Verse וְאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכַּב אֶת אִשָּׁה דָּוָה וְגִלָּה אֶת עֶרְוָתָהּ אֶת מְקֹרָהּ הֶעֱרָה וְהִיא גִּלְּתָה אֶת מְקוֹר דָּמֶיהָ וְנִכְרְתוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם מִקֶּרֶב עַמָּם:
English Verse And a man who lies with a woman who has a flow, and he uncovers her nakedness he has bared her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from the midst of their people.
Rashi Header Hebrew הערה
Rashi Text Hebrew גלה. וכן כל לשון ערוה גלוי הוא, והויו יורדת בתיבה לשם דבר, כמו זעוה, מגזרת (אסתר ה ט) ולא קם ולא זע, וכן אחוה מגזרת אח. והעראה זו נחלקו בה רבותינו, יש אומרים זו נשיקת שמש, ויש אומרים זו הכנסת עטרה:
Rashi Header Enlish he has bared
Rashi Text English Heb. הֶעֱרָה, he has uncovered. And likewise, every instance of the term עֶרְָוָה [in Scripture], denotes “uncovering,” and the “vav” is inserted into the word [root ערה] for the noun form. Similarly, [the noun] זַעֲ וָה, “trembling,” stems from the root [זָע, “tremble,” as in the verse], “and he did not rise, nor did he tremble (זָע) ” (Esther 5:9). Likewise, the noun אַחֲ וָה, “brotherhood,” stems from the root אָח, “brother.” Now, regarding this הַעֲרָאָה, “uncovering” [in the context of illicit relations], our Rabbis differed [with respect to what constitutes “uncovering”]. Some say that it is the [mere] contact ofthe membrum, while others say that it is the insertion of the tip of the membrum. — [Yev. 55b]

    The FFF submethod states that words can be named by Form, Feel, and Function.
  • Some examples of naming words by Form include (a) the leg of a chair, (b) the handle of a pot, (c) the branch of a family tree, (d) surfing the net or (e) brainstorming Some of these examples illustrate naming objects by form while other examples illustrate naming activities by form.
  • A good punchy example distinguishing naming by form vs. function is pentagon-UN. The pentagon is named after the shape and form of the building while the United Nations is named after the function and purpose of the building. Although both these buildings have as a purpose world peace they are named differently.
  • Examples of naming by feel/substance are glasses, hardship, ironing-board, plaster etc.

The FFF principle is a special case of the literary techniques of synechdoche-metonomy. These literary principles, universal to all languages, state that items can be named by related items, by parts of those items, or by good examples of those items. For example honey refers to anything sweet since honey is a good example of something sweet. Similarly hot refers to matters of love since the two are related. Todays Rashi can best be understood by applying these principles.

Biblical verse Lv20-18a refers to full physical intimacy with the phrase he aroused her source. Rashi, in his terse manner, notes that a more common Biblical phrase for initmacy is he uncovered her nakedness. Here Rashi is using the synechdoche principle, which names categories by good examples of them. Uncovering of nakedness is typically done during intimacy. Similarly, arousal is a good example of intimacy.

Advanced Rashi: There is a subtlety in Rashi here that may easily be overlooked. One might think Rashi is simply providing a dictionary definition. But by naming a complicated phenomena, intimacy, by good examples of it, uncovering, arousal Rashi is doing more. The Talmud relates certain non-Jewish customs to fallaciously achieve modesty by not fully addressing during intimacy. By calling intimacy uncover the Bible emphasizes that the purpose of intimacy is not just release and climax but enjoyment and arousal. Similarly, by calling intimacy arousal Rashi emphasizes an important component of the Jewish attitude towards intimacy: The partners should not just release and achieve climax but they should be aroused and enjoy themselves.

Thus the Biblical idioms pithily catch important emphasii of intimacy and remind us of the good examples (that is, synechdoche) of intimacy. Thus this Rashi is a fascinating study on how formal linguistic techniques can nuance and encourage deep religious values.

      3. RASHI METHOD: GRAMMAR
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: Rashi explains verses using grammar principles, that is, rules which relate reproducable word form to word meaning. Grammatical rules neatly fall into 3 categories
      • (a) the rules governing conjugation of individual words,Biblical roots,
      • (b) the rules governing collections of words,clauses, sentences
      • (c) miscellaneous grammatical, or form-meaning, rules.
      This examples applies to Rashis Lv17-14a Lv17-14b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1215.htm
      Brief Summary: For the SOUL of LIVING ANIAMALS? The BLOOD OF THE ANIMALS is for its SOUL AND I SAID ....BLOOD OF ALL ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE EATEN because the BLOOD OF THE ANIAMAL is ITS SOUL....

Verse Lv17-14a
Hebrew Verse כִּי נֶפֶשׁ כָּל בָּשָׂר דָּמוֹ בְנַפְשׁוֹ הוּא וָאֹמַר לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל דַּם כָּל בָּשָׂר לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ כִּי נֶפֶשׁ כָּל בָּשָׂר דָּמוֹ הִוא כָּל אֹכְלָיו יִכָּרֵת:
English Verse For [regarding] the soul of all flesh its blood is in its soul, and I said to the children of Israel: You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the soul of any flesh is its blood all who eat it shall be cut off.
Rashi Header Hebrew דמו בנפשו הוא
Rashi Text Hebrew דמו הוא לו במקום הנפש, שהנפש תלויה בו:
Rashi Header Enlish its blood is in its soul
Rashi Text English Its blood is in the place of its very soul, because the soul is dependent upon it.

Today, students of the Bible learn grammar from Biblical Hebrew grammar textbooks. These textbooks organize material by topics. Grammatical topics include a) verb mood and conjugation, b) plurality and gender agreement, c) pronoun reference, d) subject-verb-object sequencing, e) sentence structure and type, f) the possessive and g) connective words, and many other topics.

However in Rashi's time gramamr was just beginning. There were no official grammatical textbooks and tables. One of Rashi's functions was to teach grammar. Rashi did not write a grammar textbook but instead left grammatical explanations appended to each verse.

In today's example Rashi explains rules about gender. In English nouns do not have gender. We rather use the non-gender word, it. By contrast in Hebrew, nouns have gender. Instead of using the word it Hebrew will use the words he, she to refer to nouns.

    Rashi explains that
  • The Hebrew words for animal,blood are masculine
  • The Hebrew word for soul is feminine

Using this Rashi we translate Lv17-14 as follows (the referents of the pronouns his, her are indicated in brackets and follow the Rashi rules above): For the soul of animals? His [the animal's] blood is for his [the animal's] soul; and I have said to the Jews: 'Don't eat the blood of animals' because the animal's soul is [is represented by] her [the soul's] blood; all who eat him [the blood] shall be cut off [from their nation.]

    4. RASHI METHOD: ALIGNMENT
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: Aligning two almost identically worded verselets can suggest
    • (4a) 2 cases of the same incident or law
    • (4b) emphasis on the nuances of a case
    • (4c) use of broad vs literal usage of words
    This examples applies to Rashis Lv18-21b Lv18-21c
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1411.htm
    Brief Summary: FROM YOUR CHILDREN: a) Don't GIVE [to the MOLECH idolatry] b) [Don't] PASS through the MOLECH fires

Verse Lv18-21b
Hebrew Verse וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ לֹא תִתֵּן לְהַעֲבִיר לַמֹּלֶךְ וְלֹא תְחַלֵּל אֶת שֵׁם אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲנִי יְ־הֹוָ־ה:
English Verse And you shall not give any of your offspring to pass through for Molech. And you shall not profane the Name of your God. I am the Lord.
Rashi Header Hebrew לא תתן
Rashi Text Hebrew זו היא מסירתו לכומרים:
Rashi Header Enlish And you shall not give
Rashi Text English This refers to the handing him over to the pagan priests.

The table below presents an aligned extract of verses or verselets in Lv18-21 Both verses/verselets discuss the prohibitions of using children for the Molech idolatry. The alignment justifies the Rashi comment that: There are two prohibitions. Children should not be used: a) to give to the Molech idolatry priests b) to pass through the Molech idolatry fires.

Verse Text of Verse Rashi comment
Lv13-21
    From your children:
  • Do not give [to the Molech priests]
  • Do not [to] pass through to the Molech [fires]
    There are two prohibitions. Children should not be used:
  • a) to give to the Molech idolatry priests
  • b) to pass through the Molech idolatry fires.
Lv18-21
    From your children:
  • Do not give [to the Molech priests]
  • Do not [to] pass through to the Molech [fires]

    Advanced Rashi: Several supplemental points support todays Rashi explanation.
  • In rule #1, references we have provided additional verses complementing the information presented at verse Lv18-21. These additional verses show that Molech involved a passing of children between two viscious fires.
  • In presenting the above verses we have used the technique of ellipsis. The actual verselet states From your children: Do not give in order to pass through to the Molech. Ellipsis requires that certain parts of the sentence are elliptically transferred to each of the sentence halves. So the actual verse halves read as follows:
    • (#1) From your children: Do not give to the Molech;
    • (#2) From your children: Do not pass through to the Molech.
    In other words it is as if the verse said From your children: Do not give to the Molech and do not pass through to the Molech. When the Bible is faced with such a sentence it will frequently combine both sentence halves by removing repetition and using ellipsis: From your children: Do not give in order to pass through to the Molech.

      5. RASHI METHOD: CONTRADICTION
      BRIEF EXPLANATION:Rashi resolves contradictory verses using 3 methods.
      • (5a) Resolution using two aspects of the same event
      • (5b) Resolution using two stages of the same process
      • (5c) Resolution using broad-literal interpretation.
      This example applies to Rashis Lv19-20e
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1411.htm
      Brief Summary: a) You have till the next morning to pay a day worker b) You have till the next evening to pay a night worker

Verse Lv19-20e
Hebrew Verse ְאִישׁ כִּי יִשְׁכַּב אֶת אִשָּׁה שִׁכְבַת זֶרַע וְהִוא שִׁפְחָה נֶחֱרֶפֶת לְאִישׁ וְהָפְדֵּה לֹא נִפְדָּתָה אוֹ חֻפְשָׁה לֹא נִתַּן לָהּ בִּקֹּרֶת תִּהְיֶה לֹא יוּמְתוּ כִּי לֹא חֻפָּשָׁה:
English Verse If a man lies carnally with a woman, and she is a handmaid designated for a man, and she had not been [fully] redeemed nor had her document of emancipation been granted her, there shall be an investigation; they shall not be put to death, because she had not been [completely] freed.
Rashi Header Hebrew כי לא חפשה
Rashi Text Hebrew לפיכך אין חייב עליה מיתה, שאין קידושיה קידושין, הא אם חופשה, קידושיה קידושין וחייב מיתה:
Rashi Header Enlish because she had not been [completely] freed
Rashi Text English And therefore, the man is not liable to the death penalty because of [his intimacy with] her, since her marriage is not binding. It follows then, that if she had been freed, her marriage would be binding, and he would be liable to the death penalty. — [Torath Kohanim 19:55; Gittin 43b]

    The table below presents presents two contradictory sets of verses. Both verse sets talk about paying workers on time. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse set says don't delay payment till morning while the other verse says the sun shall not set over him [that is, his wages.] Which is it? Do you have till morning or evening to pay wages? Rashi simply resolves this using the 2 aspects method: (1) If a person works by day then you have all night, till the following morning, to obtain money to pay him (2) But if a person works by night then you have all day, till the following sunset (evening), to obtain money to pay him.

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
Don't delay paying a day-worker till the next morning Lv19-13 You shall not defraud your neighbor, nor rob him; the wages of he who is hired shall not remain with you until the morning.
Don't delay paying a night worker till the (next day's) sunset Dt24-14:15 You shall not oppress a hired person who is poor and needy, whether he is of your brothers, or of your strangers who are in your land inside your gates At his day you shall give him his hire, nor shall the sun go down upon this payment; for he is poor, and sets his heart upon it; lest he cry against you to the Lord, and it should be sin to you.
Resolution: 2 Aspects:
  • (1) If a person works by day then you have all night, till the following morning, to obtain money to pay him
  • (2) But if a person works by night then you have all day, till the following sunset (evening), to obtain money to pay him.

Advanced Rashi: About 10 years ago we had a Rashi-Rambam series,which we discontinued. This series focused on differences between Rashi and Rambam in biblical commentary. These verses on employee payment are one of the few examples where Rashi is more explanatory than Rambam. For Rambam simply lists the laws - a day worker must be paid by the next morning and a night worker by the next sunset - while Rashi explains the reasons for the laws: The half day wait gives the employer time to obtain money to pay the worker/employee.

    6. RASHI METHOD: STYLE
    Rashi examines how rules of style influences inferences between general and detail statements in paragraphs.
    • Example: Every solo example stated by the Bible must be broadly generalized;
    • Theme-Detail: A general principle followed by an example is interpreted restrictively---the general theme statement only applies in the case of the example;
    • Theme-Detail-Theme: A Theme-Detail-Theme unit is interpreted as a paragraph. Consequently the details of the paragraph are generalized so that they are seen as illustrative of the theme.
    This examples applies to Rashis Lv18-03c
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1411.htm
    Brief Summary: a) DETAIL: Don't DO Egyptian/Canaanite deeds b) GENERAL: Don't WALK in Egyptian/Canaanite cultic practices

Verse Lv18-03c
Hebrew Verse כְּמַעֲשֵׂה אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם אֲשֶׁר יְשַׁבְתֶּם בָּהּ לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ וּכְמַעֲשֵׂה אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מֵבִיא אֶתְכֶם שָׁמָּה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ וּבְחֻקֹּתֵיהֶם לֹא תֵלֵכוּ:
English Verse Like the practice of the land of Egypt, in which you dwelled, you shall not do, and like the practice of the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you, you shall not do, and you shall not follow their statutes.
Rashi Header Hebrew ובחקתיהם לא תלכו
Rashi Text Hebrew מה הניח הכתוב שלא אמר, אלא אלו נמוסות שלהן, דברים החקוקין להם, כגון טרטיאות ואצטדיאות. רבי מאיר אומר אלו דרכי האמורי שמנו חכמים:
Rashi Header Enlish and you shall not follow their statutes
Rashi Text English What did Scripture omit [until now] that it did not state [and includes in this clause]? However, these are their social practices, things that assumed the status of law (חָקוּק) for them, for example, [certain days set aside for attendance at] theaters and stadiums. Rabbi Meir says: These [practices referred to here,] are the “ways of the Amorites,” [the superstitious practices] enumerated by our Sages. — [see Shab. 67ab; Torath Kohanim 18: 139]

Certain Biblical paragraphs are stated in a Example-General form. In other words several particular examples are stated followed by a general theme. The Detail-Theme form creates a unified paragraph and consequently the examples are interpreted broadly as illustrating multiple aspects of the general theme. Today's example illustrates this as shown below.

    Verse(s) Lv18-03 discussing the prohibition of adopting Egyptian/Canaanite practices states
    • Detail: Don't do Egyptian/Canaanite deeds
    • General: Don't walk in Egyptian/Canaanite practices
    The detail clause states do not do Egyptian/Canaanite deeds and could mean not to practice their laws. The General clause provides an all inclusive principle and requires that the detail clause should be interpreted broadly: The statement do not do Egyptian/Canaanite deeds means the restrictive do not follow Egyptian/Canaanite laws and also means more broadly do not follow their cultic practices. It is important to emphasize what Rashi is and is not saying. Rashi is not saying that the simple meaning of do not do Egyptian/Canaanite deeds is you should not go e.g. to Egyptian/Canaanite theaters and watch artistic performances of ritual-related items. Rather Rashi is saying that because there is a terminal general clause we should see the example clauses as illustrating all examples of this general clause. The driving force of this broad interpretation is the paragraph structure which teaches us that the example clause is not the only example of the theme but rather one of many examples of the theme. Hence the paragraph as a whole even though it doesn't explicitly say so teaches us that it is prohibited to follow specific Egyptian/Canaanite laws and it is also prohibited to follow their non-legal cultic practices such as watching artistically performed ritual-related performances in their theaters.

Advanced Rashi: I am indebted to the Talner Rebbe, Rabbi Dr. Isidore Twersky, with whom I learned for 7 years, who pointed out that the prohibition of walking in Egyptian/Canaaanite paths was a prohibition on cultic-related activities (for example, artistic performances of ritual-related items). However, there is no prohibition of adopting, for example, technological improvements of these societies.

      7. RASHI METHOD: FORMATTING
      BRIEF EXPLANATION:Inferences from Biblical formatting: #NAME?
      • Use of repetition to indicate formatting effects: bold,italics,...;
      • use of repeated keywords to indicate a bullet effect;
      • rules governing use and interpretation of climactic sequence;
      • rules governing paragraph development and discourse
      This example applies to Rashis Lv17-13a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1411.htm
      Brief Summary: A person who HUNTS ANY HUNT of edible animal or venizon, he shall pour out the blood and cover it with dust.

Verse Lv17-13a
Hebrew Verse וְאִישׁ אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמִן הַגֵּר הַגָּר בְּתוֹכָם אֲשֶׁר יָצוּד צֵיד חַיָּה אוֹ עוֹף אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל וְשָׁפַךְ אֶת דָּמוֹ וְכִסָּהוּ בֶּעָפָר:
English Verse And any man of the children of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who traps a quarry of a wild animal or bird that may be eaten, and sheds its blood, he shall cover it [the blood] with dust.
Rashi Header Hebrew אשר יצוד
Rashi Text Hebrew אין לי אלא ציד, אווזין ותרנגולין מנין, תלמוד לומר ציד, מכל מקום. אם כן למה נאמר אשר יצוד, שלא יאכל בשר אלא בהזמנה הזאת:
Rashi Header Enlish who traps
Rashi Text English [Had the verse stated only this phrase,] we would know only [that this law applies to] creatures that require trapping. But how would we know [that the law includes also] geese and roosters, [which do not require trapping]? Scripture, therefore, adds [the word] צֵיד -a quarry, meaning in any way [even if not trapped]. But if so, why is it stated, “who traps”? [To teach us] that one should not eat flesh except with this preparation, [meaning, that just as one does not go out to trap every day, neither should one eat meat regularly at all his meals, as if he had to go out and trap it]. — [Torath Kohanim 17:111; Chul. 84a]

We have explained in our article Biblical Formatting located on the world wide web at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/biblicalformatting.pdf, that the Biblical Author indicates bold, italics, underline by using repetition. In other words if a modern author wanted to emphasize a word they would either underline, bold or italicize it. However when the Biblical author wishes to emphasize a word He repeats it. The effect - whether thru repetition or using underline - is the same. It is only the means of conveying this emphasis that is different.

Verse Lv17-13 discussing the slaughter of animals/birds states A person who hunts [any] hunt of [any] edible animal or venizon, he shall pour out the blood and cover it with dust. The repeated underlined word phrase hunt hunt indicates an unspecified emphasis. Rashi translates this unspecified emphasis as indicating Hunts a hunt emphasizes any hunt - that is, a hunt of any animal or bird, even domesticated animals/birds such as chickens. That is Rashi translates the verse as follows: A person who hunts [any] hunt of [any] edible animal or venizon, he shall pour out the blood and cover it with dust. It follows that the requirement to cover the blood of a slaughtered animal applies both to animals that are typically hunted as well as to domesticated animals.

    8. RASHI METHOD: DATABASES
    BRIEF EXPLANATION:Rashi makes inferences from Database queries. The precise definition of database query has been identified in modern times with the 8 operations of Sequential Query Language (SQL).

    This example applies to Rashis Lv16-09a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1608.htm
    Brief Summary: The normal designatory language is eg TAKE A LAMB _FOR_ A SIN OFFERING The language AND MAKE IT A SIN OFFERING connotes special verbal specification.

Verse Lv16-09a
Hebrew Verse וְהִקְרִיב אַהֲרֹן אֶת הַשָּׂעִיר אֲשֶׁר עָלָה עָלָיו הַגּוֹרָל לַי־הֹוָ־ה וְעָשָׂהוּ חַטָּאת:
English Verse And Aaron shall bring the he goat upon which the lot, For the Lord, came up, and designate it as a sin offering.
Rashi Header Hebrew ועשהו חטאת
Rashi Text Hebrew כשמניח הגורל עליו קורא לו שם ואומר לה' חטאת:
Rashi Header Enlish and designate it as a sin-offering
Rashi Text English When he places the lot upon it, he designates it by calling it [a sin-offering], saying, “To the Lord-a sin-offering”. — [Yoma 39a]

We ask the following database query: How are animal offerings designated? The reader is encouraged to perform the query using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine. This database query yields the list below. The list justifies the following Rashi-Midrashic inference: The standard designatory phrase uses the words take with the preposition for. e.g. Take a lamb for a sin offering. The non-standard designatory phrase, and make it a sin offering connotes emphasis and indicates special verbal designation e.g. This will be a sin offering. The list below presents the results of the database query.

Verse Sample Text Designatory phrase
Lv09-02 ...take a calf for a sin offering take....for
Lv16-05 take two he-goats for a sin offering take ....for
Nu08-08 take...and a second ox...for a sin offering take ...for
Nu28-19 Offer an elevation offering .... 2 oxen and 1 ram... Offer an ________: ___________________
Lv16-09 Aaron will offer the goat that the lottery picked up for God and he will make it a sin offering he will make it a sin offering

Advanced Rashi: As can be seen the designatory phrase he shall make it a sin offering is unusual. Rashi therefore comments This teaches that he must verbally declare: This is for the sake of God for a sin offering. Just to recap: The driving force of the Rashi comment is the unusual designatory phrase.

We should also mention that the above table is simplified. The actual verses often indicate multiple sacrifices e.g. Take a calf for a sin offering and a ram for an elevation offering. The important point is that the designatory phrase is take ...for.

    9. RASHI METHOD: NonVerse
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: The common denominator of the 3 submethods of the NonVerse method is that inferences are made from non textual material. The 3 submethods are as follows:
    • Spreadsheet: Rashi makes inferences of a numerical nature that can be summarized in a traditional spreadsheet
    • Geometric: Rashi clarifies a Biblical text using descriptions of geometric diagrams
    • Fill-ins: Rashi supplies either real-world background material or indicates real-world inferences from a verse. The emphasis here is on the real-world, non-textual nature of the material.
    This examples applies to Rashis Lv16-24d
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1608.htm
    Brief Summary: The Priest GOES OUT, FROM the veil TO the courtyard altar.

Verse Lv16-24d
Hebrew Verse וְרָחַץ אֶת בְּשָׂרוֹ בַמַּיִם בְּמָקוֹם קָדוֹשׁ וְלָבַשׁ אֶת בְּגָדָיו וְיָצָא וְעָשָׂה אֶת עֹלָתוֹ וְאֶת עֹלַת הָעָם וְכִפֶּר בַּעֲדוֹ וּבְעַד הָעָם:
English Verse And he shall immerse his flesh in a holy place and don his garments. He shall then go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people's burnt offering, and he shall effect atonement for himself and for the people.
Rashi Header Hebrew ויצא
Rashi Text Hebrew מן ההיכל אל החצר שמזבח העולה שם:
Rashi Header Enlish He shall then go out
Rashi Text English of the heichal, to the Courtyard in which the altar for burnt offerings was located.

Verse Lv16-14:24d, describing the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) service states And he shall take of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the veil eastward; and before the veil shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. ... and he will come out, and offer his elevation offering, and the elevation offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, ...

Rashi diagramatically explains the phrase come out. The veil is inside the Temple proper while the elevation offering is offered on the copper altar which is outside the Temple proper, in the courtyard. Hence the verse states he will come out The diagram below clarifies this Rashi.

             Temple Courtyard wall
    ============================================
    ||          |     Temple Table |
    || Holy of  |                  |
    || Holies   |Veil   Temple Door  Copper
    ||          |                  |        Altar
    ||          |     Candellabrah |   
    ============================================
      Temple Proper  Temple Proper   Courtyard
      Priest ---Goes out------->

    10. RASHI METHOD: SYMBOLISM
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: Rashi provides symbolic interpretations of words, verses, and chapters. Rashi can symbolically interpret either
    • (10a) entire Biblical chapters such as the gifts of the princes, Nu-07
    • (10b) individual items, verses and words
    The rules governing symbolism and symbolic interpretation are presented in detail on my website.

    This examples applies to Rashis Lv20-15a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1608.htm
    Brief Summary: We reinforce the moral value of chasity by symbolically executing animals involved in bestiality.

Verse Lv20-15a
Hebrew Verse וְאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִתֵּן שְׁכָבְתּוֹ בִּבְהֵמָה מוֹת יוּמָת וְאֶת הַבְּהֵמָה תַּהֲרֹגוּ:
English Verse And a man who lies with an animal, shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal.
Rashi Header Hebrew ואת הבהמה תהרגו
Rashi Text Hebrew אם אדם חטא בהמה מה חטאה, אלא מפני שבאה לאדם תקלה על ידה, לפיכך אמר הכתוב תסקל. קל וחומר לאדם שיודע להבחין בין טוב לרע וגורם רעה לחבירו לעבור עבירה. כיוצא בדבר אתה אומר (דברים יב ב) אבד תאבדון את כל המקומות, הרי דברים קל וחומר, מה אילנות שאינן רואין ואינן שומעין על שבאת תקלה על ידם אמרה תורה השחת שרוף וכלה, המטה את חבירו מדרך חיים לדרכי מיתה על אחת כמה וכמה:
Rashi Header Enlish And you shall kill the animal
Rashi Text English If the man sinned, in what way did the animal sin? However, since a failing came [upon a person] through [the animal], therefore, Scripture says: It must be stoned [to death]! How much more so [is this relevant] to a human being, who knows how to distinguish between good and evil, and yet brings evil upon his fellow [by causing him] to commit a transgression. Similar to this matter, it says, “You shall utterly destroy from all the places [where the nations…worshipped-their gods]” (Deut. 12:2). It is surely [possible here to draw] an inference from minor to major: If [in the case of] trees, which do not see and do not hear, when a failing comes [upon a man] through them, the Torah says, Destroy them! Burn them! Annihilate them!- how much more culpable is a human who leads his fellow astray from the path of life to the paths of death! - [Torath Kohanim 20:115]

As indicated in Rule #8, Databases the Torah and Jewish leaders frequently reinforced needed values during specific situations using symbolism. We repeat here the database inquiry of half a dozen cases where this happens. In particular, an animal involved in bestiality is stoned to symbolically affirm the horror of the crime.

Verse Event Need Symbolic reminder
Ex17-11a War with Amalayk Prayer Moses raised his hands
Nu21-09a God's cure of snake bites in nation Prayer Placing the the copper snake on high (hinting to heaven)
Dt12-02 Destroying Idolatry Horror of crime Even the idolatrous trees are killed
Lv20-15a Punishment for sleeping with animals Horror of crime Animal is stoned to death also
Ex20-23a Temple service Decorum, atmosphere, modesty Use ramp vs. staircase so as not to excessively expose nakedness
Gn06-14b Noah's Ark Punishment of sinful people by brimstone Use Brimstone wood (to symbolize coming punishment of brimstone)

Conclusion

This week's parshah contains examples of all Rashi method. Visit the RashiYomi website at http://www.Rashiyomi.com and http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule.htm for further details and examples.